Steering wheel for boat rudder

ABSTRACT

A steering wheel for a boat rudder, which can be mounted on a rudder actuating shaft, comprising a substantially circular body ( 2 ) with an external peripheral edge ( 3 ) for gripping by a user and a central hub ( 4 ) defining an axis of rotation (L), characterized in that the body ( 2 ) is formed by a plurality of circle portions ( 5 ) which are movable with respect to each other, so as to pass selectively from an open operative configuration, where the circle portions ( 5 ) are adjacent and contained in a main plane of extension, to a closed rest configuration, where the circle portions ( 5 ) are at least partly superimposed so as to limit the volume in the main plane of extension, and vice versa. Owing to this particular arrangement it will be possible to increase the available space on-board the boat when the rudder is not used and, in so doing, facilitate the movements of the crew.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the nautical field and in particularrelates to a steering wheel for rudders of boats of various types anddimensions, i.e. sailing boats or motorboats.

BACKGROUND ART

A steering wheel for a boat rudder may have different dimensionsdepending on the type and dimensions of the craft and may sometimeshinder the movements of persons on-board.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,444 describes a rudder wheel for boats which ismounted rotatably on a support column by means of a suitable pivot,having a longitudinal axis parallel to the stern-prow direction of theboat itself. This pivot is formed by two portions which are aligned andfastened together by means of a rotational coupling having a directionof rotation substantially perpendicular to the pivot itself. In this waythe wheel of the rudder can be rotated from the operative position intoan angular rest position, laterally with respect to the support column.

A drawback of this solution consists in the fact that the overall volumeof the rudder wheel is not reduced since the wheel is simply rotated. Inparticular, in the rotated rest position, the available space close tothe support column in the transverse direction is increased, but at thesame time the free space in the longitudinal direction is decreased.

In field other than the nautical one, for example in the motor-carfield, numerous applications aimed at reducing the volume of the drivingor steering devices are known. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,319describes a steering device for a vehicle, comprising a wheel mountedaxially on a rotatable steering shaft. The steering device comprisesadjusting means for varying the inclination and the length of therotatable steering shaft, so as to adjust the inclination and the axialposition of the steering wheel and find the most comfortableconfiguration. A similar device could also be used in the nautical fieldin order to vary the length and the inclination of the column whichsupports the rudder steering wheel.

The application of this solution to boats would make it possible to findthe optimum position for use of the steering wheel, but would beunlikely to achieve a significant reduction in the overall volume.

JP-58030867 describes a steering wheel for motor vehicles having acircular rim supported by three spokes converging towards the rotatableshaft of the steering system. The circular rim is divided into threesegments, each of which is fastened to a respective spoke. Each spoke isconnected to the rotatable shaft by means of a rotational couplinghaving an axis of rotation perpendicular to the shaft itself. In thisway it is possible to fold a spoke and the respective rim segmenttowards the inside of the steering wheel and reduce the volume of thesteering wheel itself, for example in order to facilitate entry into andexit from the motor vehicle.

This solution could also be applied in the nautical field to a ruddersteering wheel, but would be of limited usefulness since it would allowonly one segment of the rim to be folded. In so doing, the volume of thesteering wheel would be reduced on one side only and the non-foldedportion of the wheel would continue to hinder movements on-board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacksmentioned above, by providing a steering wheel for a boat rudder whichincreases the space available on-board the boat itself and facilitatesthe movements of the crew when the rudder is not used.

A particular object is that of providing a steering wheel which isrobust and effective during steering of the boat by a helmsman.

A further object of the invention is that of providing a steering wheel,the volume of which may be reduced in a simple and rapid manner so as toincrease the space available for the crew.

Another particular object is that of providing a steering wheel which issafe, free of play or other undesirable movements, both during use andthe non-operative phases.

An additional object is that of providing a steering wheel which ispractical, robust and cheap.

These objects along with others which will appear more clearlyhereinafter, are achieved, in accordance with Claim 1, by a steeringwheel for a boat rudder, which can be mounted on a rudder actuatingshaft, comprising a substantially circular body with an externalperipheral edge for gripping by a user and a central hub defining anaxis of rotation, characterized in that the circular body is formed by aplurality of circle portions which are movable with respect to eachother, so as to pass selectively from an open operative configuration,where the circle portions are adjacent and contained in a main plane ofextension, to a closed rest configuration, where the circle portions areat least partly superimposed so as to limit the volume in the main planeof extension, and vice versa.

Owing to this particular arrangement it will be possible to increase thespace available on-board the boat when the rudder is not used, and in sodoing, facilitate the movements of the crew.

Preferably, the hub comprises a plurality of constraining elements, toeach of which a respective circle portion is fastened. One of theconstraining elements is fixed with respect to the rudder actuatingshaft, while the other elements are movable with respect to the fixedelement coaxially relative to the axis of rotation. Moreover, theconstraining elements have guiding means able to impart to the themrelative rotational translatory movements with respect to the axis ofrotation.

Owing to this particular embodiment it will be possible to convert thewheel from the open operative configuration into the closed restconfiguration and vice versa in a simple and rapid manner.

Suitably, the hub comprises means for selectively locking the positionof the central constraining elements relative to each other, both in theopen operative configuration and in the closed rest configuration.Moreover, the circular edge advantageously consists of circular rim arcsconnected to respective constraining elements by means of one or moresubstantially radial spokes. The adjacent circular rim arcs may befastened at their ends by means of suitable coupling means.

Owing to these particular features, it will be possible to obtain asteering wheel which is robust, safe and free of play or otherundesirable movements both during use by a user and during thenon-operative phases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more clearlyunderstood from the detailed description of some preferred, but notexclusive embodiments of a steering wheel according to the invention,illustrated by way of a non-limiting example with the aid of theaccompanying plates of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an steering wheelaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a steering wheelaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a steering wheelaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the hub of the wheelaccording to FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 to 7 show sectioned side views of the hub according to FIG. 4,respectively in an open operative configuration, in an intermediateconfiguration and in a closed rest configuration;

FIGS. 8 to 10 show enlarged perspective views of the hub according toFIG. 4, respectively in an open operative configuration, in anintermediate configuration and in a closed rest configuration;

FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of the hub of the wheelaccording to FIG. 2;

FIGS. 12 to 14 show sectioned side views of the hub according to FIG.11, respectively in the closed rest configuration, in an intermediateconfiguration and in an open operative configuration;

FIGS. 15 to 17 show enlarged perspective views of the hub according toFIG. 11, respectively in a closed rest configuration, in an intermediateconfiguration and in an open operative configuration;

FIG. 18 show an exploded perspective view of the hub of a steering wheelaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 19 to 21 show enlarged perspective views of the hub according toFIG. 18, respectively in a closed rest configuration, in an intermediateconfiguration and in an open operative configuration;

FIG. 22 shows a side view of a steering wheel according to theinvention;

FIG. 23 shows an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of the wheel according to FIG. 2,respectively in an open or expanded operative configuration and in aclosed rest configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

With particular reference to the above figures, a steering wheelaccording to the invention, generally identified with reference number1, is described.

The steering wheel 1 can be mounted on an actuating shaft of a rudderfor boats so as to allow a user to determine easily the route of theboat itself. The boats on-board which the steering wheel 1 may beadvantageously used, may be of various types and dimensions, i.e.sailing boats or exclusively propeller-driven boats.

The wheel 1 comprises a body 2 which is substantially circular with anexternal peripheral edge 3 for gripping by a user and a central hub 4defining an axis of rotation L. The central body 2 is formed by aplurality of circle portions 5 which are movable with respect to eachother. In this way the wheel 1 is able to pass from an open operativeconfiguration, where the circle portions 5 are adjacent and contained ina main plane of extension, to a closed rest configuration, where thecircle portions 5 are at least partially superimposed so as to limit thevolume in the main plane of extension. The conversion from the openoperative configuration into the closed rest configuration is completelyreversible and may be inverted in a simple manner.

Each circle portion 5 may comprise at least one circle segment 6 with apredetermined angular amplitude, and more particularly, each circleportion 5 may consist of a pair of circle segments 6, 6′ which arediametrically opposite and symmetrical with respect to the axis ofrotation L.

In the closed rest configuration, each pair of circle segments 6, 6′ isplaced in the superimposed condition with respect to the other pairs ofsegments 6, 6′. In these conditions there is the maximum reduction inthe main plane of extension when all the circle segments 6, 6′ have thesame angular extension. However, in the open operative configuration thecircle segments 6, 6′ cover overall a complete round angle. Therefore,the angular extension of each circle segment 6, 6′ may be determined bydividing the round angle by the total number of segments 6, 6′ which areused.

The hub 4 comprises a plurality of constraining elements 7, 7′, to eachof which a respective circle portion 5 or a respective pair of circlesegments 6, 6′ is fastened. One constraining element 7 is fixed withrespect to the actuating shaft of the rudder, so as to transmit to thelatter the commands imparted by the helmsman, while the other elements7′ are movable, coaxially relative to the axis of rotation L, withrespect to the fixed element 7.

The relative movements of the constraining elements 7, 7′ are guided bysuitable guiding means 8 associated with the said constraining elements.In this way, the guiding means 8 allow relative rotation-translationmovements, with respect to the axis of rotation L, to be imparted to theconstraining elements 7, 7′.

The hub 4 comprises locking means 9 for selectively locking the positionof the constraining elements 7, 7′ relative to each other, both in theopen operative configuration and in the closed rest configuration. Inthis way, in the open operative configuration the circle portions 5 orthe pairs of circle segments 6, 6′ cover the entire round angle and areall fixed relative to each other, allowing the helmsman to operate anyone of them manually. Moreover, the relative movements of theconstraining elements 7, 7′ are also locked in the closed restconfiguration and, as a result, the circle portions 5 or the pairs ofcircle segments 6, 6′ cannot accidentally move with respect to eachother, for example owing to the pitching movements of the boat whenmoored.

Suitably, the guiding means 8 comprise at least one substantiallycylindrical portion 10 of suitable axial extension, formed on eachconstraining element 7, 7′. The cylindrical portion 10 of eachconstraining element 7, 7′ is able to come into contact at leastpartially with the cylindrical portion 10 of an adjacent constrainingelement 7, 7′, making possible a relative rotation-translation movementof the pair of constraining elements 7, 7′ making contact with eachother.

In particular, the cylindrical portion 10 of at least one constrainingelement 7, 7′ comprises a groove 11 which has an axial section and acircumferential section and is able to interact with a radial projection12 associated with one or more adjacent constraining elements 7, 7′. Theengagement between the groove 11 of a constraining element 7, 7′ and theradial projection 12 associated with an adjacent constraining element 7,7′ forms a cylindrical cam able to impart to the two constrainingelements 7, 7′ involved a relative translatory and rotational movementof predetermined axial and angular amplitude. For greater ease ofmanufacture, the radial projection 12 associated with a constrainingelement 7, 7′ may consist of an end of the locking means 9 which engageswith the constraining element itself.

Suitably, the groove 11 may be of the helical type, so as to impart tothe constraining elements 7, 7′ forming the cam coupling thus obtained,a helical relative movement with a helical pitch of predeterminedamplitude.

Two adjacent constraining elements 7, 7′, when they are not fastened toeach other by means of a cam-type coupling between a groove 11 and aradial projection 12, could be subject to relative axial sliding as aresult of the contact between their respective cylindrical portions 10,having an extension such as to produce separation between the twoelements, and the consequent undesirable separation of a circle portion5 or a pair of circle segments 6, 6′ from the circular body 2. In orderto prevent such a possibility from arising, the cylindrical portion 10of at least one constraining element 7, 7′ may have at least one radialshoulder 13 directed towards the inside and/or towards the outside andable to limit the axial relative displacement of one or more adjacentconstraining elements 7, 7′.

Advantageously, the external peripheral edge 3 may consist of arcs 14 ofa circular rim, which are connected to respective constraining means 7,7′ of the hub 4 by means of one or more substantially radial spokes 15.

In order to increase the rigidity of the wheel 1 in its open operativeconfiguration and to improve the sensation of robustness when it isgripped by a user, the adjacent circular rim arcs 14 may be fastened attheir ends 16 by means of suitable coupling means 17. In particular, thecoupling means 17 comprise a pair of joints 18, each of which has thefunction of fastening together a respective pair of adjacent circularrim arcs 14. Each end 16 of a circular rim arc 14 has a joint 18 able toengage selectively with a corresponding joint 18 of complementary shapeand integral with an adjacent arc 14, as a result of the relativemovement of the respective pairs of circle segments 6, 6′.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the circular rim arc 14 ofeach circle segment 6, 6′ forms one piece with a respective pair ofspokes 15 of the same circle segment 6, 6′. Moreover, the joining angles19 between the circular rim arc 14 of each circle segment 6, 6′ and therespective pair of spokes 15 may be rounded.

Suitably, the wheel 1 comprises a ball joint (not shown in the drawings)having one end connected to the hub and the other end which can beconnected to the rudder actuating shaft, in order to vary theinclination between the latter and the axis of rotation L.

The conversion of the wheel 1 from the open operative configuration intothe closed rest configuration is performed using a method for reducingthe volume of the said wheel, comprising a sequence of successiveoperations.

The movable constraining elements 7′ are initially subjected to asequence of rotational and translatory movements with respect to thefixed constraining element 7 so as to bring the circle portions 5 or thepairs of circle segments 6, 6′ into the superimposed position. Then thecircle portions 5 or the pairs of circle segments 6, 6′ are locked withrespect to the fixed constraining element 7 by operating the lockingmeans 9.

In particular, the succession of rotational translatotory movements maycomprise a first series of axial translatory movements of the movableconstraining elements 7′ with respect to the fixed constraining element7, followed by a second series of rotations of the movable constrainingelement 7′ with respect to the fixed constraining element 7.

The axial translatory movements of the first series are all performed inthe same direction, in a preferred example of embodiment of the wheel 1,shown in FIGS. 11 to 17, while they are performed in opposite directionswith respect to the fixed constraining element 7, in a second example ofembodiment, shown in FIGS. 18 to 21.

Advantageously, the succession of rotational and translatory movementsmay be performed by actuating a circle portion 5 or a pair of movablecircle segments 7′ at the same time. In this case, one or moretranslatory movements alternating with one or more rotations of eachmovable constraining element 7′ are performed.

Suitably, the succession of rotational and translatory movements maycomprise a plurality of helical movements of the movable constrainingelements 7′ with respect to the fixed constraining element 7.

From that described above it is obvious that the steering wheelaccording to the invention achieves the predefined objects and inparticular the form of the hub constraining elements, to which thecircle portions or the pairs of circle segments are connected, allows areduction in the volume of the wheel in a simple and rapid manner so asto increase the space available for the crew. Moreover, the presence ofthe hub locking means and, suitably, the means for coupling the adjacentcircular rim arcs result in a steering wheel which is robust and devoidof play or other undesirable movements.

The steering wheel according to the invention may be subject to numerousmodifications and variations all falling within the inventive ideaexpressed in the accompanying claims. All the details may be replaced byother technically equivalent elements and the materials may be differentdepending on the requirements, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Although the steering wheel has been described with particular referenceto the accompanying figures, the reference numbers used in thedescription and in the claims are used in order to improve thecomprehensibility of the invention and do not impose any limitation onthe scope of protection claimed.

The instant application is based upon and claims priority of patentapplication No. Vl2001A000199, filed on 21 Sep. 2001 in Italy, thedisclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated here in referencethereto.

1. A steering wheel for a boat rudder, which can be mounted on a rudderactuating shaft, comprising a substantially circular body with anexternal peripheral edge for gripping by a user and a central hubdefining an axis of rotation, characterized in that said body is formedby a plurality of circle portions which are movable with respect to eachother, so as to pass selectively from an open operative configuration,where said circle portions are adjacent and contained in a main plane ofextension, to a closed rest configuration, where said circle portionsare at least partly superimposed so as to limit the volume in said mainplane of extension, and vice versa.
 2. The steering wheel according toclaim 1, wherein said hub comprises a plurality of constrainingelements, one said elements being fixed with respect to the rudderactuating shaft, while the other elements are movable with respect tosaid fixed element coaxially relative to said axis of rotation, each ofsaid circle portions being fastened to a respective constrainingelement.
 3. The steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein saidconstraining means have guiding means able to impart to them relativerotational translatory movements with respect to said axis of rotation.4. The steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein said guiding meanscomprise at least one substantially cylindrical portion of suitableaxial extension formed on each of said constraining elements.
 5. Thesteering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that thecylindrical portion of at least one of said constraining elementscomprises a groove able to interact with a radial projection associatedwith one or more adjacent constraining elements so as thereto a relativetranslational and rotary movement of predetermined axial and angularamplitude.
 6. The steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein saidgroove comprises an axial section and a circumferential section.
 7. Thesteering wheel according to claim 5, wherein said groove is of thehelical type.
 8. The steering wheel according to claim 4, wherein thecylindrical portion of at least one of said constraining elements has atleast one radial shoulder directed towards the inside and/or towards theoutside and able to limit the axial relative travel of one or moreadjacent constraining elements so as to prevent involuntary separationthereof.
 9. The steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein said hubcomprises locking means for locking selectively the position of saidconstraining elements relative to each other, both in said openoperative configuration and in said closed rest configuration.
 10. Thesteering wheel according to claim 1, wherein said circle portionscomprise at least one circle segment of predetermined angular amplitude.11. The steering wheel according to claim 10, each of said circleportions comprise a pair of circle segments diametrically opposite andsymmetrical with respect to said axis of rotation.
 12. The steeringwheel according to claim 11, wherein said circle segments have the sameangular extension such that in the open operative configuration theycover overall a complete round angle.
 13. The steering wheel accordingto claim 2, wherein said external peripheral edge is formed by circularrim arcs connected to respective constraining elements of said hub bymeans of one or more substantially radial spokes.
 14. The steering wheelaccording to claim 13, wherein the adjacent circular rim arcs arefastened at their ends by means of suitable coupling means.
 15. Thesteering wheel, according to claim 1, comprising a ball joint having oneend connected to said hub and the other end which can be connected tothe rudder actuating shaft, so as to vary the inclination between thelatter and said axis of rotation.
 16. A Method for reducing the volumeof a circular steering wheel in which the wheel comprises asubstantially circular body formed of a plurality of circle portions anda central hub defining an axis of rotation, the hub consisting of aplurality of constraining elements, one of which is fixed on the rudderactuating shaft and the other constraining elements being movable withrespect to the fixed constraining element, wherein the movableconstraining elements are initially subjected to a sequence ofrotational and translatory movements with respect to the fixedconstraining element, so as to bring the wheel into a closed restconfiguration, and are then being locked with respect to the fixedconstraining element in said closed rest configuration.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16, in which the succession of rotational andtranslatory movements comprises a first series of axial translatorymovements of the movable constraining elements with respect to the fixedconstraining element, followed by a second series of rotations of themovable constraining elements with respect to the fixed constrainingelement.
 18. The method according to clam 17, in which the axialtranslatory movements of the first series occur respectively in the samedirection and in opposite directions relative to said fixed constrainingelements.
 19. The method according to claim 16, in which the successionof rotational and translatory movements comprises one or moretranslatory movements alternating with one or more rotations of each ofsaid movable constraining elements.
 20. The method according to claim16, in which the succession of rotational translatory movementscomprises a plurality of helical movements of the movable constrainingelements with respect to the fixed constraining element.